I have an 850 engine and spare box that I want to put together ready to go into the Austin van. The previous engine was rebuilt in 1974 and never put back into a car, so has been sitting there. Couple of questions...

1. Should I bother..? The car has a 998, but its head is going/gone. Would it be better to rebuild this engine..? The van should have an 850 anyway.

2. Can anyone recommend someone trust worthy in Sydney to get a rebuild..?? What would be an approximate cost..??

3. What internal performance mods can be made to ensure the van keeps up with traffic and can make it up hills? I was told to bore it slightly and put in a "sports" cam but is there anything else. I dont want to make it visually different to a standard 850 to maintain the cars originality so extractors, sports exhaust etc are out...

Any help is appreciated as normal..

well marcello doing cam is useless unless you let it breath
and who is reliable to build a motor in sydney two people come straight to mind graham russle and our very own docmini but would he want to do such a small motor
so it is like this do you want it to go good or look original i'd go for port and polished head cam 1 1/2 carb rockers and a set of extractors and a rc40
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

You all know who I'd reccomend!!! Russell Engineering all the way.

But as Makka said, putting a cam in without helping it breath a little better
is not going to do anything really. Im not sure if GR would want to do just a
stock 850, but He would ALWAYS be on the first of my list to have a chat with.
anyone that has dealt with him will say the exact same.

chris got viv done up in seven hills and you know how well she goes
i think with shorter waiting time too

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Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

where you get the 850 from Marcello..??? you have not get them yet... Hurry up.. I want more room in my shed. .

that is very true Duc. I would try them fist. I have had absolutely
no dramas with the work on Vivians motor. I would also highly
reccomened mini spares at Seven hills. they are probably more
the right person to build upo and 850.

Norwest Engine Reconditioning

They machined JAM's parts and seem to know their stuff. Well priced too.

Graham Russell would build an 850. If he is being paid, of course he would. Building an 850 is no different to building a 1275, so he could do it. There are a bunch of people that can do it, but if it isn't a rush i would have a crack at it yourself, as JAM has done. Good experience and certainly worth knowing in the long term.

Cheers

Aaron

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Too right mate!! Building my motor has been a great learning curve......

I am very happy with the way things have gone.

even the o ring?
Nah I agree, you do learn a lot from doing it yourself, even the mistakes. I was lucky to have someone help me out of course and only made a couple of non-life threatening ones. Drove the car again today and its all good. A few minor things to sort but nothing major and: NO LEAKS. I don't think I have ever had this mini never leak oil!

KB

the best way to learn is from your mistakes!

Hehehe... so you like the `purple gasket cement' I used on the box then...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Hehehe... so you like the `purple gasket cement' I used on the box then... [/quote]

Doc, honestly, every time I go into the garage I look under the car. Seeing no oil drips on the ground brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye! (tears of joy). Yes, it's good stuff alright. I'm almost through my second tube - will have to send the wife on another hunt and gather exercise.

Took it to 6 once on the way back home, no dramas. I'll find a few hills next and put a few miles on it. Speedo cable played up though. Took it off and re-set it once I got back home. See how it goes next time.
KB

For those who are wondering wot this is, I use Loctite 515 Master Gasket. It's that good I have built a few boxes (including mine) with no diff side cover gaskets.. and they don't leak.
It's designed for metal to metal flanges etc but OK with gaskets too.
Downside.. $18 a 50ml tube...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

my local spares joint doesn't stock it.

Where do you get it from?